Simon Usborne, Features Writer for The Independent, discusses the top news of the day.

Conservatives host silent auction, people moan

A silent auction held as a fundraiser for the Conservative party has raised eyebrows.

Moonlighting as an auctioneer, Prime Minister David Cameron encourages business leaders and other donors to bid, bid, bid at the Black and White gala.

Lots going at the final fundraiser before the election campaign included a private getaway to Italy, a pheasant shooting trip and the chance to compete alongside Iain Duncan Smith in a 10 km “iron man” race.

Party donors had paid £15,000 per table to attend.

A bronze scale statue of Margaret Thatcher sold for a reported £210,000. Other eye-wateringly expensive lots included exclusive use of private member’s club Annabel’s, which sold for £110,000.

Despite it being a private event to raise money for the party and absolutely nothing to do with anyone else, many took to Twitter to snipe about how those attending were choosing to spend their money.

Labour encouraging women to vote... with pink mini-van

Labour have launched a campaign to encourage women to vote and decided the best colour for the minibus used would be bright pink.

Deputy leader Harriet Harman will tour the country in the pink vehicle as part of the "Woman to Woman" campaign. The campaign intends to show politics isn't exclusively a male dominated arena.

Given the party's colour is a vivid red, many have expressed surprise that a pink was chosen and Labour have been accused of sexism.

Ms Harman defended the van as "magenta".

Diplomats sent to charm school

It may have once been the very crux of the role but changing standards been Her Majesty’s Diplomatic Service will be attending Britain’s first specialised academy to ensure they conduct themselves appropriately.

The academy will teach participants to better conduct negotiations, pass on intelligence, and work with other diplomats.

The foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, said the move would ensure the British were “No 1 in global diplomacy.”

Australia to compete in 2015 Eurovision

Australia have been invited to compete in the 2015 European Song Contest.

Despite initial concerns over organisers geographic knowledge, it was later confirmed that the invitation was a one-off issued as part of the contest’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

Whoever represents Australia will appear in the final, without having to compete in preliminary rounds.

Contest supervisor Jon Ola Sand said: "It's a daring and at the same time incredibly exciting move. It is our way of saying let's celebrate this party together!"